Michigan

Area residents mark up satellite maps detailing a section of U.S. 131 as part of a Michigan Department of Transportation study to determine the reconstruction of the busy highway and I-96 during the next 20 years.
(Andrew Krietz | MLive.com)

About 100,000 vehicles travel the stretch of U.S. 131 through downtown each day, with some 55,000 vehicles on I-96, according to MDOT 2012 estimates. The agency considers most stretches along the highways as having "no delays" on a good day.

In 2035, however, a typical day could bring about "considerable delays" across most of the system with speeds lower than 53 mph - even as far north as West River Drive and Post Drive on U.S. 131.

"This study is going to show areas where there will be capacity and safety improvements," Richard said.

One of the first steps in the process involves community feedback. A steady stream of people Thursday, March 6, flowed through the Rockford Construction Community Center to learn about the area of highway under review and share their thoughts.

With a Sharpie marker in hand, Grand Rapids resident and East Hills Council of Neighbors director Rachel Lee marked up a satellite map of U.S. 131 crossing through downtown. The annotated maps will be collected by MDOT and entered into the study.

"Our downtown should be a downtown," Lee said. "The highway tears up the most valuable space in our city (along) the river."

While MDOT did not show any immediate reconstruction plans for the routes given the 20-year timeline, Lee said her dream would be to move the highway out of the city itself or at least underground and out of sight.

Any option will have a price tag, and such extreme measures do not fit the current budget given road funding, Richard said.

Grand Rapids resident Mark Crooks didn't attend Thursday's community meeting with a particular plan in mind. He wanted to hear what others were thinking. MDOT wants the same, and plans a second meeting from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Walker Fire Station, 1470 3 Mile Road NW.

"I've lived here long enough to see quiet roads become overly busy," Crooks said. "The reality is something does need to be done."

Andrew Krietz covers breaking and general police/fire news for MLive | The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.